The Washington critic., 1887-03-29

1t doesn't make amy difference If do
get hurt"
Fine fellow, Dodd's boy
Back and forth her little feet bore
her along the roofs edge, and below,
exactly beneath her, walked the boy.
After little she stood still again and
sang.
With feeling that was almost one
OF awe, he listened to her. 1t was sad
TO see her thus so near to danger and
perhaps to DEATH sad to hear tlpt
sweet voice, which In moment might
be stilled foreverl and she so uncon.
scious of II all
When the song died away, as .Eolian
harps still with the dying wind, she
turned and disappeared.
Dodd's boy heard her stepping to the
other side of the roof.
In the agony of fear he ran around.
Not an instant too soon
One step too far aud she fell.
But into his arms Into his armsl
The shock bore him to the ground,
and he felt terrible pain in his arms
which saved her
Dolly's shrieks aroused her father,
who, coming quickly out, held her
soo,hingly to his breast, only little
hurt.
But what Of Dodd's boy?
lie lay there striving TO keep back
the groans that would come. lie had
saved the child, but, poor fellow, both
his arms were broken.
When they bore him In, and laid him
tendcrly, so tenderly, upon the best bed
In the house and Dolly wept over him,
he did not mind the pain so much.
When llr. Dodd said he was a hero he
felt quite proud and when the doctor
came, and the broken limbs were set
and Dolly said that she would be his
nurse until he was well and strong
again, he felt happy and content
Indeed she kept her promise. Though
he was helpless and often in much
pain, those days passed like pleasant
dream. Years aficrward, when he was
a wandercr from that home and her,
the sweet face that had wept and
laughed with him was mirrorcd in his
heart.
There Ia more TO tell. They, with
hearts so dry as to laugh at love, had
better turn away. The broken arms
healed and became strong and shapcly
again. The time came, sad time to all
of them, when the boy left Dodd and
Dodd's daughter, and went into the
great world TO seek his fortune.
lie found 1t, too; but found no forget.
fulness of his child love.
No longer Dodd boy, but man who
had made a name TO be proud of, he re.
turned to look upon the face of his fairy
once more.
When he called he asked:
rs Mr.. Dodd inG"
No, Mr.. Dodd had "just stepped out
for little while"
is Miss Dodd in?'
The formal Miss Dodd almost stuck
in his throat.
Yes, she was in.
lie sent up his card.
Wasn't that funny? Dodd's boy
| sending up cardl
what will the meeting be lillc?"
he thought, as he waited for her.
Now that she Is young lady, will
there be any of the childish heartincss
of old in her manner? Or will she
have grown beyond and forgctful of
mei" And Dodd's boy that was sighed.
When she enters the room he Is
ashamed of his doubts. She holds ont
both hands to him with such q smile
of welcome that he fancies he sees the
Dolly of old.
Soon Dodd comes In and gives his
hearty greeting.
Like the sensible, sympathetic man
he Is, after little while he says:
81 must really so TO bed.
So he goes.
Dodd's boy that was, and the child
Dolly that was, the noble man and
woman who arc, are alone again.
You may guess what he said to her
the question he asked her earnestly.
You may guess what Dolly's answer
was, when stepping to the little piano
she gave 1t in almost the exact words
of the old song:
you have come back to me- Douglas, Dong.
las.
In the old likeness that knew:
will lie so faithful, so loving. Douglas,
Douglas, Douglas, tender and true.
IN Y Leader